Child Passport Application Canada
If you’re the parent or legal guardian of a child with Canadian citizenship, you may submit an application for a child’s passport.
For more information about Canadian passports, including how to apply for one and what you or your child need to do in order to be eligible, reach out to one of our immigration advisers for help. Call us on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online.
Page Contents
- Overview of Applying for a Child Passport
- Who Can Apply for a Child Passport?
- What Documents Do I Need to Include With My Child Passport Application?
- What Are the Rules Regarding Guarantors and References?
- I Need My Child Passport Within 2 Business Days. How Do I Apply?
- I Need My Child Passport in 3 to 45 Business Days. How Do I Apply?
- I Need My Child Passport in 46 Business Days or More. How Do I Apply?
- What Are the Fees for a Child Passport?
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of Applying for a Child Passport
Canadian citizens have the right to hold Canadian passports, which allow them to travel to and from Canada without being subject to immigration control.
There are three main ways of applying for a Canadian child’s passport, each one depending on how quickly you need it:
- In 2 business days or less
- In 3 to 45 business days
- In 46 days or more
Canadian child passports are valid for 5 years at a time and cannot be extended.
If a child passport expires, you must apply for a new one each time until the child turns 16, after which they can apply for an adult passport.
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Who Can Apply for a Child Passport?
You must be one of the following in order to apply for a Canadian child’s passport:
- One of the child’s parents (if you’re not separated or divorced)
- The sole parent who has custody of the child (if you are separated or divorced) with the correct documentation
- You must include all documents (including any divorce judgment) about the child’s custody, mobility or access
- The child’s legal guardian, with the correct documentation
- You must include all legal documents proving your legal guardianship of the child
Note that all parents and guardians must sign the passport application form. If you don’t know where the other parent or legal guardian is, you must contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
What Documents Do I Need to Include With My Child Passport Application?
You must include all of the following documents with your child’s passport application:
- Citizenship documents proving your child’s citizenship status, such as a long-form birth certificate or a citizenship certificate
- This must be the original document and not a copy
- Proof of parentage or proof of legal guardianship (if applicable – you may have to provide a death certificate for the other parent if deceased, or a marriage certificate)
- All documents referring to the custody of, mobility of, or access to the child
- Any other valid passports or other travel or ID documents issued in the child’s name
- 2 identical passport photos of the child, with the following written on the back of one of the photos:
- The photographer’s name
- The photographer’s complete address
- The date the photos were taken
- The guarantor’s signature
- Documents regarding the change of gender identifier (if applicable)
Note that any documents not in either English or French must be submitted alongside a certified translation into either one of these languages.
What Are the Rules Regarding Guarantors and References?
All Canadian child passport applications must have a guarantor and 2 references.
A guarantor can be anyone, including a family member or member of your household, as long as they meet the following requirements. They must:
- Have known you for at least 2 years and also know of your child
- Be available if IRCC need to contact them
- Be a Canadian citizen 18 years of age or older
- Provide the information needed that’s in their passport
- Have been 16 years of age or older when they applied for their own passport
- Hold a 5-year or 10-year Canadian passport that, on the day you submit your application, is valid or expired for no more than 1 year
Meanwhile, your references cannot be your your guarantor or a family member, and they must also:
- Be 18 or older
- Have known you for at least 2 years
- Agree to you using their name and contact information for your application
I Need My Child Passport Within 2 Business Days. How Do I Apply?
If you need your child passport within 2 business days, you must use a walk-in service at a passport services office.
You must also bring proof that you need the passport urgently.
To apply, you must first fill in the Child General Passport Application form (PPTC 155). Note that this form must be signed by all of the child’s parents or legal guardians, as well as the guarantor.
You must then gather all of the necessary supporting documents, including your child’s passport photographs.
You will then need to go to your local passport office for their walk-in service. Here, you will submit your application and pay the relevant fees.
You will then be able to pick up your passport on the pickup date indicated by the receipt given to you by the office.
You may send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written confirmation from you saying that they’re allowed to.
I Need My Child Passport in 3 to 45 Business Days. How Do I Apply?
If you need your child passport in 3 to 45 business days, you may book an appointment or use the walk-in service at either a:
- Passport office, or
- A Service Canada Centre with 10-day processing
You must also bring proof that you need the passport urgently.
To apply, you must first fill in the Child General Passport Application form (PPTC 155). Note that this form must be signed by all of the child’s parents or legal guardians, as well as the guarantor.
You must then gather all of the necessary supporting documents, including your child’s passport photographs.
You will then need to attend your appointment or use a walk-in service at your local passport office or Service Canada Centre. There, you will submit your application and pay the relevant fees.
After you apply, your new passport and original documents will then be mailed to you. If you paid for a pickup service, you will be able to pick up your passport on the date indicated on the receipt given to you by the office.
You may send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written confirmation from you saying that they’re allowed to.
I Need My Child Passport in 46 Business Days or More. How Do I Apply?
If you need your child passport in 46 business days or more, you may either book an appointment or use the walk-in service at a regular Service Canada Centre, or apply by mail.
If You’re Applying in Person
To apply in person, you must first fill in the Child General Passport Application form (PPTC 155). Note that this form must be signed by all of the child’s parents or legal guardians, as well as the guarantor.
You must then gather all of the necessary supporting documents, including your child’s passport photographs.
You will then need to attend your appointment or use a walk-in service at your local Service Canada Centre. There, you will submit your application and pay the relevant fees.
After you apply, your new passport and original documents will then be mailed to you. If you paid for a pickup service, you will be able to pick up your passport on the date indicated on the receipt given to you by the office.
You may send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written confirmation from you saying that they’re allowed to.
If You’re Applying by Mail
To apply by mail, you must first fill in the Child General Passport Application form (PPTC 155). Note that this form must be signed by all of the child’s parents or legal guardians, as well as the guarantor.
You will also have to fill in the payment section on your application form with your credit card details, a certified cheque, or money order.
You must then gather all of the necessary supporting documents, including your child’s passport photographs.
You should then use a certified courier or traceable mail service to send your application and your documents to your nearest processing centre.
Which centre you send your application to will depend on which province you live in.
After you apply, your new passport and original documents will then be mailed to you. If you paid for a pickup service, you will be able to pick up your passport on the date indicated on the receipt given to you by the office.
You may send someone else to pick up your passport if they have valid identification and written confirmation from you saying that they’re allowed to.
What Are the Fees for a Child Passport?
A new child’s passport costs CAN$ 57 to obtain.
You may also have to pay the following additional fees for certain services:
| Type of Service | Cost (in CAN$) |
| Urgent pickup (by the end of the next business day) | 110 |
| Express pickup (within 2 to 9 business days) | 50 |
| Standard pickup (on or after 10 business days) | 20 |
| Additional administrative fee for replacing a valid lost or stolen passport | 45 |
| Certified true copy of one page of a passport (1 to 3 copies) | 45 |
| File transfer (to a different passport office in Canada) | 45 |
How Can Total Law Help?
Whether an adult or child, all Canadian citizens rely on keeping a valid biometric passport as proof of their right to reside in, and travel to and from, Canada.
If you’re applying for a new passport for your child and need additional assistance with the process, Total Law can help.
We offer full and comprehensive legal and immigration services for people both inside and outside of Canada.
Whether you need your child passport application completed as quickly as possible as a matter of urgency, need assistance liaising with the Government of Canada, or need help checking your child’s application status, our team of legal experts are on hand to help.
For more information about the services we offer, and what we could do for you, reach out to us today, Call us on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you wish to apply for urgent processing for your child passport, you will have to submit additional proof of this along with your application.
This can include the following:
- An airline, bus or train ticket
- A travel itinerary showing proof of payment
- Proof of illness or death in the family requiring you to travel
- A written statement from you or a third party explaining why you need the passport to travel
You may be able to get a refund on your child passport application, except in the following circumstances:
- You cancel your application
- Your application is refused
- You are issued a passport for a shorter validity period than requested, which may happen if you’ve lost your passport multiple times
If you’re worried about someone else applying for a passport for your child without your consent, you can add your child’s name to a special list known as the passport system lookout.
Once on the list, your child’s name will remain there until either:
- They turn 16, at which time they can apply for an adult passport on their own, or
- You send IRCC a written request to have their name removed from the list
If IRCC receive a passport application for your child, they will take extra precautions before we process it and confirm that it was authorized by you, the parent or legal guardian.